salary
SAL-uh-ree
/ˈsæləri/
A fixed regular payment, typically paid on a monthly basis but often expressed as an annual sum, made by an employer to an employee.
Salary implies a professional, white-collar arrangement where pay is fixed regardless of the specific number of hours worked, unlike 'wages' which are usually hourly.
The story behind the word. The word 'salary' has a salty history. In ancient Rome, salt was a precious commodity used for preserving food and as an antiseptic. Roman soldiers were given a 'salarium'—literally 'salt money'—to ensure they could purchase this essential resource. Over time, the term evolved to mean any regular payment for work.
Word relationships
- stipend: A stipend is usually a lower, fixed amount for interns or students, whereas a salary is for professional employees.
- wage: A wage is paid hourly or daily, while a salary is a fixed annual or monthly amount.
- debt: Debt is money owed, whereas a salary is money earned.
Commonly confused with
- remuneration: Salary is just the base pay; remuneration includes salary plus all bonuses and benefits.
Word family
- salaries (noun): Plural form of salary.
- salaried (adjective): Receiving a salary rather than a wage.
Collocations
- starting salary
- annual salary
- salary expectations
- salary review
Example sentences
- "My salary was two pounds a week." A famous literary reference to low pay.
- "The company offered a competitive starting salary of sixty thousand dollars." Discussing annual earnings in a professional context.
Memory hook
Think of 'SAL' in SALary as 'SALt'. Just as salt was essential for life, a salary is essential for living. Salt of the earth, salary for the work.
When not to use
Do not use 'salary' for hourly work (use 'wage') or for one-time payments for specific tasks (use 'fee').
Fun facts
- The phrase 'worth one's salt' comes from the same Roman origin as the word salary.
- In the 18th century, some workers were still partially paid in salt or other commodities.
Related words
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